2016 Map of Back Valley

About this map

The Powell River winds through the borderlands of Tennessee and Virginia, carving a deep valley between high ridges like Wallen Ridge and Powell Mtn. This area is defined by a series of narrow hollows and high gaps, such as Gibson Gap and Keaton Gap, which have historically dictated the movement of people and commerce through the mountains. Small settlements like Sunnyside and Evanston sit tucked away from the main river corridor, while the site of Thompson Mill near McDowell Shoal points to the early importance of water power in this rural landscape.